Best HDV camcorder?

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Level 1

10 points

Best HDV camcorder?

I need to move up to HD, but can't afford a full HD camera/fast array setup. I've been shooting SD happily for years with my Sony VX2100. I figure an HDV camcorder is my only real option and I'm looking at the Sony HVRZ7U HDV and would like to know if anyone thinks there is a better option. Thanks.

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Jul 19, 2009 9:34 AM

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Answer 1

David S.

Level 7

20,636 points

Jul 19, 2009 10:10 AM in response to nutapple

You can purchase a HPX170 DVCProHD Panasonic cam with a 16 GB card and I believe a $500.00 rebate for a total of about $4300. Add a 32 GB E Series p2 card for $625.00 and you have 3x42 minutes of 720/24pn footage - over two hours.

DVCProHD edits like butter - unlike HDV.

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Answer 2

David S.

Level 7

20,636 points

Jul 19, 2009 10:32 AM in response to David S.

I might be incorrect about the rebate, but I've seen the 170 priced from Panasonic Authorized dealers for under $5K - $4850 from at least one with p2 card.

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Answer 3

nutapple Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 19, 2009 11:05 AM in response to David S.

David, Will I be able to edit this footage on my MacPro with 2 x 2.66 GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor and 4 GB of RAM? Thanks.

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Answer 4

Jul 19, 2009 11:08 AM in response to nutapple

It's easier on your computer to edit DVCPROHD than it is HDV... so it not only will handle it, it will handle the P2 material better than it will HDV material.

Jerry

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Answer 5

nutapple Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 19, 2009 11:12 AM in response to Jerry Hofmann

I can't tell you guys how much I appreciate this input. I'm really ready to move into HD. My TV spots are definitely in need of the upgraded look, but I'm on a tight budget and this info is really going to help me make a smarter move than I could have made on my own.

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Answer 6

nutapple Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 19, 2009 3:17 PM in response to nutapple

How does the HPX170 compare to the HVX200a?

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Answer 7

npetro5

Level 1

14 points

Jul 19, 2009 4:29 PM in response to nutapple

The cameras are very similar. The HPX has a few upgrades, specifically more frame rates and some focus/gamma controls that are more in depth than the hvx. However, the HVX can record your HD footage and "in camera" downconvert to a regular SD MiniDV tape.
I just bought the HVX and can say i am quite pleased with it...

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Answer 8

nutapple Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 19, 2009 8:54 PM in response to npetro5

That's interesting. I would like to continue releasing to local TV stations on miniDv tape as that's what I'm currently set up for. I am assuming there will be a learning curve for me in working with the DVCpro footage in FCP and I'm sure I'll have a lot of questions. I'm expecting this will be similar to when I moved from Hi8 to miniDV about six years ago. That was so worth it as the signal was so much cleaner. I'm just champing at the bit to move up to HD.

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Answer 9

nutapple Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 20, 2009 11:41 AM in response to nutapple

I'm told that with the Panasonic HPX170 you can capture on Flash Cards, which are far less expensive than the P2 cards. I'm also told that there is no difference in the quality of capture using Flash cards. But I sure don't see anything about this in the 170's Operating Manual. Is this true? Does anyone on this forum capture to Flash cards? Thanks.

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Answer 10

Jim Cookman

Level 7

23,447 points

Jul 20, 2009 11:59 AM in response to nutapple

Not true. The whatever-150 however DOES capture to SD cards

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Answer 11

David S.

Level 7

20,636 points

Jul 20, 2009 12:07 PM in response to nutapple

No flash card support.

The 170 and 200 series capture HD to p2 cards, or through something like the FS-100, or directly to laptops using programs like Scopebox, OnLocation, and HD Monitor.

The HMC150 captures up to 24 mbps AVCHD in a 4:2:0 color space for 1080 and 720.

It's a nice cam, but you need an Intel Mac and FCP 6.0.5 to transcode to pro res for editing.

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Answer 12

Shane Ross

Level 8

43,110 points

Jul 20, 2009 1:30 PM in response to Jim Cookman

Yeah...if you want a good competitor to HDV look at the HMC-150 by Panasonic. Under $4000, and records to SD cards. No native support, you have to import as ProRes, but that is the recommendation for HDV too. And the images are stunning.

HPX-170 is good, but P2 is spendy for many people. I myself want the HMC...

Shane

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Answer 13

nutapple Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 21, 2009 9:32 AM in response to Shane Ross

I'm taking a real hard look at the HMC 150.

We mainly produce 30 second TV commercials for a small town market. Archiving isn't a real important issue as usually, once a spot is finished and released to stations we're done with it. Though occasionally we do have to make a revision.

I edit on a MacPro 2 X 2.66 GHz Intel Xeon with 4 GB of RAM and use FCP 6.0.5 and use Soundtrack Pro for audio work. I haven't ventured into Motion or Typestyler yet. My bad. I've been releasing dubs to TV stations on miniDV tape and I'd like to continue doing that if possible.

I'm liking what I'm learning about the HMC 150. It does capture to SD cards. It doesn't have all the frame rates and some other features of the 170, but it's a lot less money for the camcorder and a heck of a lot less for the capture medium. And if it puts out the same quality capture as the 170 it just might be the best choice for us right now.

I'm certainly open to any and all input. I'm in no hurry to make this important choice. And I really appreciate the time everyone on this thread is taking to help me out.

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Answer 14

David S.

Level 7

20,636 points

Jul 21, 2009 9:58 AM in response to nutapple

I think you mean LiveType, not Typestyler. 🙂

I have owned both the 170 and the 150. The 150 produces some startling good images.

And I edited that once converted to pro res on the same machine you have

Nice cam

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Answer 15

Jul 21, 2009 11:26 AM in response to nutapple

Actually the 150 does not capture the same quality picture as the HVX170.

Just as with all HDV cameras the HMC150 is putting a 4:2:0 color space on it's media, whereas the P2 cameras are all 4:2:2 in DV50 and HD modes. This is an important and often glossed-over distinction which can make or break any color-critical production.

If you're always going to DV25 (miniDV) for output to your local stations I'd hihgly suggest the HVX200A as it still has a built-in miniDV drive and, it uses the same chipset as the HVX170 making it superior in it's color and noise response to the original HVX200.

Yes, the P2 cams and their media are more costly than any AVCHD camera but the benefits of a native broadcast-supported HD codec (DVCPRO 50/100), better color space and in your case a built-in miniDV drive would make the 200A indispensable to your workflow now and in the future. Just remember DV50/100 is only recorded to P2 media; the miniDV drive only records DV25.

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